PINABILI LANG NG SUKA YOUR ASS!

NEWSFLASH!!!

By Malou Guanzon-Apalisok
Cebu Daily News
Last updated 12:17pm (Mla time) 11/08/2007
The controversy stemming from the National Press Club’s decision to alter the Neo Angono artists’ Press Freedom mural has unleashed one of the most ferocious attacks against a group of supposed media practitioners. I say “supposed” because the working media in general are not familiar with personalities identified with the Manila-based NPC. Whether Roy Mabasa and Joel Sy Egco, NPC president and director, respectively, belong to the print or broadcast media is not clear. Tagalogs have a funny way of describing how pseudo-journalists are made: “Pinabili lang ng suka, pagbalik peryodista na.”

+++++++++

This was among the many intriguing stories written about my involvement in the MURAL issue. Intriguing and funny. I find it intriguing because up to now, I still don't know who the hell this writer is. I tried to look her up on GOOGLE but found almost nil information about her. IMagine the GALL! Roy Mabasa and Joel Sy Egco “Pinabili lang ng suka, pagbalik peryodista na.” Tickle me more! Hahahahaha! I find this statement very, very funny! Who is she, anyway!? PINABILI LANG NG DANGIT SA CEBU PORT, PAGBALIK COLUMNIST NA?

I would advice her to search for Roy's or my name on google before she speaks. For everyone's information, Roy Mabasa was Manila Bulletin chief of reporters. He came from a family of journalists too. Me, on the other hand, well, just GOOGLE me. Whew!

In April 2000, I, as then president of the Defense Press Corps, experienced what war was really like. For hours, we got caught in the crossfire between the MILF and the 1st Marine Company in Munai, Lanao Del Sur. We were the first batch of journalists (with me were Raffy Tima, Badet Tamayo and several other TV crews) who tripped on that near-death predicament. I experienced being bombed at, shot at, rolled under the dirt as bullets, rockets and bombs horrifyingly zoomed over us. ALL FOR THE LOVE OF JOURNALISM. Then, there was the Abu Sayyaf coverage and when the Sipadan hostage crisis erupted, Sulu was declared NO MAN'S LAND for journalists by the government.
In my hotel room in Zamboanga City that night, I wrote a strongly-worded statement against the media blackout in Sulu. The following morning, during a press conference arranged by the DND chief (Orlando Mercado) and AFP chief (Angelo Reyes), I RUDELY interrupted the briefing and read the protest letter that was signed by 80 foreign and local journalists covering the Sipadan hostage crisis. Jessica Soho was there. Dindo Amparo and Howie Severino, among other respected names in the industry supported the move I initiated. That same day, we were allowed to travel to Sulu aboard a Navy boat. Doon sa SULU ako "Pinabili lang ng suka."

When everybody was silent on the cases of journalist killed in action, I was the first to stand up and declare that we should fight back! That was after Philip Agustin in Aurora was killed. Thenafter, the Association of Responsible Media (ARMED) was formed. Thousands of journalists followed my lead and began practicing their shooting skills from Batanes to JOLO. That's still on record. June 2005. Simultaneous nationwide gun safety and training seminar for mediamen. "Pinabili lang nga suka!"

When Arroyo issued Proclamation 1017 last year, ARMED, Alyansa ng Filipinong Mamamahayag and NUJP gathered at the NPC grounds one morning and SHAVED OUR HEADS in dire protest of the proclamation. Sa totoo lang ayaw na tumubo ng buhok ko dahil dun. We did that when the previous NPC leadership was silent on the issue of PP1017. And when everybody felt the chill of an imminent declaration of Martial Law, the people whom this HOLIER THAN THOU columnist tagged as "Pinabili lang ng suka," rose up and declared PP 1017 their enemy!

The question is: NASAN KAYA ANG PINABILI NG DANGIT NG MGA PANAHONG YON?

As my former editor-in-chief Jullie Yap Daza puts it:

"CHECK YOUR FACTS AND STUDY YOUR BACKGROUND... READ! READ! READ!" DAMNIT!